Walter Price DISD District 6 Candidate Convicted of Stealing Womens Underwear

DISD candidate cites poor judgment in shoplifting case

By TAWNELL D. HOBBS / The Dallas Morning News

A Dallas school board candidate who has drawn the support of prominent civic leaders has been arrested in the past for shoplifting women's undergarments.

Walter Lewis Price, president of the Dallas Council of PTAs, pleaded no contest to stealing four pairs of women's thong underwear and three bras from Neiman Marcus at NorthPark Center on Dec. 24, 1997, according to Dallas County court documents.

Mr. Price, a 43-year-old professor at two Christian colleges and owner of a human resources company, was 35 at the time of the crime. He faces six candidates in the May 13 election for the District 6 post, which covers southwest Dallas.

Walter Lewis Price

Mr. Price said Tuesday that committing the crime was poor judgment.

"I think at that time I had a lot of challenges," he said. "Money was short."

He said he took the undergarments for his wife.

The arrest came to light after The Dallas Morning News conducted background checks on school board candidates. The research on other District 6 candidates found that Marion Barnett, a minister, has a conviction for possession of marijuana. And candidate Joe Tave, a teacher, has a federal tax lien of $7,096, records show, although he says he has made payment arrangements.

Longtime trustee Hollis Brashear, who is leaving the District 6 seat to devote more time to his family and business, endorsed Mr. Price. Mr. Price also was supported by other local leaders, including state Sen. Royce West, Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk.

According to court documents, a security officer observed Mr. Price attempting to leave the upscale Neiman Marcus store without paying for the undergarments, valued at $516. He was arrested and charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum jail term of one year and/or a maximum fine of $4,000.

Mr. Price pleaded no contest on Feb. 17, 1998, and agreed to a plea bargain. He received 12 months of probation and had to pay a $300 fine and attend an anti-theft program. He successfully completed the terms of the agreement, and his probation ended March 1, 1999, according to court records.

Mr. Price had denied in a Morning News questionnaire having been arrested or involved in any criminal proceeding. His supporters were surprised when asked about the theft on Tuesday.

"It gives me some pause," said John Wiley Price, who is not related to Walter Price. "I'm taken aback."

Mr. Brashear and Mr. West, a Dallas Democrat, also said they were unaware of the incident. Mr. Brashear didn't want to comment, saying he would talk to Mr. Price. Mr. West said the incident didn't sound like the man he knows.

"Walter Price has been involved in school activities for a long time," Mr. West said.

Mr. Kirk said he wants to speak to Mr. Price and learn more about the incident.

"I've known Walter a long time, and he's a diligent, hardworking and caring individual," Mr. Kirk said. "I can't speak to this charge. I can tell you all of my exposure to him has been positive."

Mr. Price, who teaches at Jarvis Christian College and Southwestern Christian College, said he has made amends for the incident by being involved with Dallas schools and the community. He serves on the school district's Dallas Achieves commission, created to find ways for the district to run more efficiently. He has led the Dallas Council of PTAs, which covers DISD, for about a year.

Mr. Barnett, another District 6 candidate and pastor of Heavenly Joy Church in Dallas, said he had learned from his crime. He was convicted of possessing marijuana in August 1973 and served six months of probation.

"It was one time, and it was a $25 fine," said Mr. Barnett, 58.

Mr. Tave, a teacher in Fort Worth and a District 6 candidate, said his debt to the Internal Revenue Service is being paid down.

"They've been taking all of my refunds," Mr. Tave said of the IRS. He added that he doesn't know if the debt has been paid off.

E-mail tdhobbs@dallasnews.com